Quigley Announces Submission of 15 Local Community Projects for Funding Consideration

Today, U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05), a member of the House Appropriations Committee and Chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government, unveiled the fifteen local community projects he has submitted for funding consideration in appropriations bills for the upcoming fiscal year. Quigley selected the fifteen projects based on strict Committee requirements and using his first-hand knowledge of the issues facing the Fifth District.

"Last year's appropriations process proved that no one knows their community's needs better than the member who represents it. This year, I am once again leveraging my knowledge of my district to make sure federal dollars end up right where they are needed most. The projects I selected for funding consideration will have a real, practical impact, changing lives in Illinois' fifth for the better," said Quigley. "From the arts to health care to education and infrastructure improvements, I am thrilled to be championing these projects. I was incredibly proud to bring home more than $10 million for local community projects last year and I am looking forward to achieving even more for my district this year."

Earlier this year, Quigley secured full funding for the ten local projects he submitted for consideration in FY22, totaling more than $10 million for LGBTQ equality, health care, public safety and more. More information on his FY22 requests is available HERE.

Additional information on Community Project Funding is available HERE and more information on the fifteen projects selected by Quigley, as well copies of required financial disclosures, is available HERE.

A summary of the fifteen projects is provided below, in alphabetical order, along with quotes from the sponsoring organizations:

AIDS Foundation Chicago Preparing the HIV System for the Needs of the Aging Population Program

• This project will allow AIDS Foundation to provide a training curriculum intended to help providers as part of this collaboration be better equipped to serve their clients as the population living with HIV continues to grow older. The goal is to develop different tiers of training to be able to cater to entry-level providers as well as seasoned senior services case managers.

"Thankfully, people who are living with HIV and taking medication are living longer. HIV care providers and our supporting partners need training and education to meet the evolving and complex needs of people with HIV as they grow older," said John Peller, AIDS Foundation Chicago's President/CEO. "Thanks to support from Congressman Quigley, we'll develop different levels of training to educate Chicago-area HIV providers about the challenges of aging. We're thankful that Congressman Quigley recognizes the importance of making these culturally responsive training options a reality."

Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center Building Improvements and Enhancements

• This project will allow Black Ensemble Theater to conduct repairs and upkeep in several areas including electrical, plumbing, lighting, sound, theater seating, stage repairs and major work on the facade of the building. The purpose of this project is to ensure the longevity and sustainability of the Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center as a beautiful national treasure to the City of Chicago while maintaining its position as a major cultural arts institution.

"The funding will have a tremendous impact, helping to ensure the longevity and sustainability of our beautiful Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center for decades – allowing us to update and replace many systems in the theater and enhancing different sections of the building itself. Through this funding, audiences and students will experience an outstanding state of the art, major cultural institution where diversity, equity and inclusion will thrive for many generations to come," said Jackie Taylor, Founder and CEO of Black Ensemble Theater.

Carole Robertson Center for Learning Capital Improvements

• This project will allow the Carole Robertson Center to provide a safe, welcoming, and stable environment for our young people and workforce through capital improvements to their facility. The building needs serious infrastructure investments to ensure it can continue to function as a safe and effective learning environment for the nearly 300 children and youth served there.

"The Carole Robertson Center for Learning is a nonprofit early childhood and youth development provider in the Albany Park community. It is in our DNA to believe that the children and youth we serve through our high-quality programs are deserving of spaces that are not only safe and sound but also inspiring and conducive to learning and enrichment," said Bela Moté, President and CEO of the Carole Robertson Center for Learning. "Economic Development Initiative funding would enable the Carole Robertson Center to initiate several critical infrastructure investments at our Albany Park site so it can continue to be a catalyst for our economy: families can work, go to school, or otherwise pursue their own economic mobility while their children are learning, growing and thriving to reach their potential."

Chicago Park District California Park Multi-use Trail Connection

• This project will allow the Park District to redesign and build a new trail system and reconstruct the riverbank to stabilize the riverbank and expand access to the park. The Park District recently removed an invasive species and restored riverbank in the new California Park expansion adjacent to the new 312 River Run trail.

Chicago Park District Lincoln Park Conservatory Renovations

• This project will allow Chicago Park District to renovate and upgrade the historic conservatory in Lincoln Park. The renovations would include structural upgrades and glass replacement, entry and restroom upgrades, improved air circulation, accessibility upgrades, new multipurpose education and event spaces, and enhancements to propagation houses.

"I'd like to thank Congressman Mike Quigley for supporting our parks and securing funds for trail development along the Chicago River and restoration work for the Lincoln Park Conservatory," said General Superintendent & CEO Rosa Escareño. "The new multi-use trail will provide his constituents and the city with increased access to the riverfront while upgrades to the Conservatory will help preserve this historic gem for future generations. These investments reach beyond improving our parks and truly enhance recreational experiences for Chicago residents, particularly for our youth and their families."

Chicago Police Memorial Foundation Get Behind the Vest Program

• This project will allow Chicago Police Memorial Foundation to provide 1,000 new ballistic vests and 1,000 vest covers to Chicago Police Officers whose vests' 5-year warranty have expired. A record number of officers were shot on the job last year. Ballistic vests have saved the lives of 47 Chicago Police Officers since 1980.

"One bullet can change a police officer's life forever…56: The number of Chicago police officers shot in the line of duty and saved by bulletproof vests since 1980," said Philip Cline, Executive Director of the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation. "One of the most important initiatives that the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation conducts is their Get Behind the Vest program. Each year, this program raises funds specifically to purchase ballistic vests which are provided free of charge to Chicago Police Officers whose vests are at or near their expiration date which is five years. Thanks to Congressman Quigley's grant request, we will be able to purchase ballistic vests and protect those who protect us."

Chicago Public Schools Art Supplies and Equipment

• This project will allow Chicago Public Schools to supplement arts budgets within school communities of need. New arts supplies and equipment would provide greater access to arts enrichment.

"CPS is grateful to Congressman Mike Quigly for championing our families and students to provide resources to support our art programs in several schools," said Chicago Public Schools CEO Pedro Martinez. "These funds support our commitment to making sure all students have access to art classes in the coming school year for a well-rounded education."

City of Northlake Sanitary Sewer Lining

• The funding for this project will allow the City of Northlake to insert a lining in existing 70-year-old clay tile sanitary sewers to stop water infiltration and outflow of effluent. Lining these sewers is a cost-effective way of extending their service life for another 100 years while sealing of the separations which allows inflow/outflow migration.

"Ensuring the integrity of Northlake's sanitary sewer system through the use of the CIP lining process will protect the environment and reduce the risk of basement flooding by the elimination of inflow and infiltration of ground and stormwater as well as outward migration of sewage," said Mayor of Northlake, Jeff Sherwin.

County DOT 606 Expansion

• This project will allow Cook Country DOT to extend the 606 Trail from Ashland Ave to Elston Ave to provide a safe connection between the east and west sides of the Kennedy Expressway and UP Railroad tracks. This project also implements the next phase of the 606 reflected in the North Branch Framework Plan and the Bloomingdale Trail and Park Framework Plan.

"As outlined in the first policy priority in my Long Range Transportation Plan, I am committed to providing bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure connections vital for our communities," said Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle. "These types of facilities provide additional commuting options, equal access to recreation, and an overall healthy lifestyle. To further implement this policy priority, I am creating a Cook County Bike Plan, and the long-anticipated 606 Trail extension is just one example of our partnership efforts with the City of Chicago in addressing multijurisdictional connections."

Field Museum Air System Upgrade

• This project will allow Field Museum to replace the museum's nearly 50-year-old air handling system, to reduce energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, and utility bill, and to improve indoor air quality for Museum staff and visitors.

"This project will reap real and measurable benefits for the environment and for the people of Chicago. We applaud Congressman Quigley for requesting these funds, which will enable us to replace 50-year-old air handling systems in our century-old landmark building, significantly reducing the Field Museum's overall energy consumption, lowering its greenhouse gas emissions, and improving indoor air quality for our staff and more than one million annual visitors as well as storage conditions for our irreplaceable scientific collections," said Dr. Julian Siggers, Field Museum President and CEO.

Howard Brown Health Halsted Street Dental Clinic

• This project will allow Howard Brown Health to provide clinical equipment, furniture, fixtures, technology solutions, and safety systems to expand Halsted's capacity for providing care. This flagship clinic will drastically increase Howard Brown's capacity to provide high-quality affirming medical, behavioral, and dental care regardless of patients' ability to pay.

"The award of $1.1 million to Howard Brown Health will help offset the costs of our future dental clinic on north Halsted. Scheduled to open in 2023, the clinic embeds oral health as part of Howard Brown's comprehensive model of affirming LGBTQ+ care. We are so grateful for the ongoing support from Congressman Quigley. This appropriation would greatly contribute to positive health outcomes for the communities we serve," said David Ernesto Munar, President and CEO of Howard Brown Health.

Lake View YMCA Aquatics Expansion

• This project will allow Lake View YMCA to convert two underutilized racquetball courts adjacent to an existing pool to create a second pool, enhancing opportunities for lessons, water exercise classes, swim team practice, and lap and open swim for residents of Lake View and surrounding communities. The Lake View YMCA seeks to meet the growing demand for its aquatics programming and increase access to its life-saving swimming and water safety lessons by expanding its pool facilities.

"Confidence and life-savings skills can begin in the Y pool, and funding for the Lake View YMCA Aquatics Expansion will help meet the growing needs for aquatics programming and water safety lessons," said Karen Dziagwa, Executive Director of the Lake View YMCA. "The Lakeview neighborhood's close proximity to Lake Michigan makes it critical for children to learn to swim. The support of Congressman Quigley allows the Y to provide additional programs to keep people safe around water by providing swim lessons, swim team, open swim, lap swim and water exercise classes for years to come."

Museum of Science and Industry Educational Program Support

• This project will allow the Museum of Science and Industry to further develop the educational programs and resources it provides to K-12 students, their educators, and their families across the Chicagoland region. This work focuses on supporting high-quality STEM learning and engagement, with a priority on financially under-resourced neighborhoods and populations traditionally underrepresented in STEM fields.

Chevy Humphrey, President and CEO, Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago said, "As a senior Member of the Appropriations Committee Congressman Quigley is in an important position to help close the education gap and provide greater opportunity for thousands of kids from backgrounds currently underrepresented in STEM fields. We are gratified that Mr. Quigley recognizes the important role the Museum of Science and Industry plays in providing K-8 science education in schools across Chicago. The funding he has requested will allow us to expand the quality programs we offer to students and teachers, particularly in underserved areas of the City, inspiring more children to think and dream big and preparing them for careers that will allow them to accomplish great things."

National Runaway Safeline Teen Suicide Prevention Line

• This project will allow National Runaway Safeline to support youth ages 12-18 throughout the Chicago area through the National Runaway Safeline's 24/7/365 Crisis Services Center via a dedicated hotline and live texting service. The TSPL will offer crisis services and support and access to a live person, with the goal of linking youth to long-term support, services and resources needed to ensure their safety, mental health, and well-being.

"Since 2020, the National Runaway Safeline (NRS) has experienced a significant growth in the numbers of young people reaching out for crisis support related to mental health. We are also seeing an alarming rise in younger children asking for assistance – between the ages of 10-14" said Susan Frankel, CEO of the Chicago-based organization. "With Congressman Quigley's support of our work, NRS will be able to provide more targeted crisis assistance and potentially life-saving support for young people in Illinois through the launch of the Illinois Teen Suicide Prevention Line."

Shedd Aquarium Pathways to Environmental Education

• This project will allow Shedd Aquarium to advance equitable STEAM learning opportunities for students across the Chicago area by advancing physical, digital, and financial access to learning experiences for 90,000 K-8th grade students. Shedd learning programs intentionally bridge science education with outdoor recreation and environmental stewardship experiences to help youth navigate the process of accessing and appreciating the natural world, leading to greater awareness of their relationship with nature and the impact of their actions on animals and their habitats.

"As a beloved inland, urban aquarium and a leader in education, we are committed to connecting students in Chicago with the aquatic animal world," said Lisa Junkin Lopez, vice president of learning and community at Shedd Aquarium. "Through the Pathways to Environmental Education Initiative, Shedd will advance equitable STEAM learning opportunities by addressing and dismantling persistent barriers while providing real-world experiences focused on expanding environmental and scientific literacy, developing critical transferable 21st-century skills, and building job readiness."